Tesco is still coming to Boston Spa

Tesco is still coming to Boston Spa, despite announcing that it is to scrap plans for 49 new stores across the country, the Wetherby News can reveal.

The supermarket giant has revealed a raft of changes amid falling sales and profit margins, including closing 43 unprofitable stores throughout the UK and bringing an end to its staff pension scheme.

It was also revealed that plans to open 49 new ‘very large’ stores would be shelved.

However, the Wetherby News can reveal that the proposed Tesco Express in place of Boston Spa’s Crown Hotel will be going ahead, and that there are no changes proposed to the plans for the village.

Boston Spa parish council chair Robert Wivell said: “They have put in the planning application and we have responded to it.

“Our concerns are predictable in the traffic and hours of opening and what happens to the car park which is in a conservation area.

“Realistically we are into the bit about arguing on detail and doing what we can. We continue to make constructive criticism.”

The council and local residents campaigned to prevent the takeover of the Grade II listed pub. However, after a public inquiry, a government inspector ruled in favour of Tesco and a planning application was lodged to make several changes.

If the plans are approved, work could start on site in the spring, with a late 2015 opening.